Every week, Madi Held and Shanna Sweitzer are giving you a weekly review of ABC’s The Bachelor.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, this show airs on Monday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC and is about a single man looking for a woman with whom he would like to spend the rest of his life. After extensive interviews and auditions, 30 women were picked to be on the show this season. In each episode, there are group dates and one-on-one dates where the bachelor gets to spend time with the contestants. At the end of every week, there is a rose ceremony where the bachelor narrows down his choices by giving roses to the girls he wants to stay another week. Those who do not receive a rose are then “sent home” from the show. This helps him to then focus on the girls that he thinks will be the best for him. At the end, the bachelor must decide between the two remaining girls which one he’d like to propose to. Many couples end up breaking off their engagement and splitting up, but there has also been a lot of successful couples that do get married and even have children. The show has become popular all throughout America, and on January 2, 2017, the 21st season started with Nick Viall as America’s Bachelor.

*SPOILERS AHEAD, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK*

Meeting the Parents

Shanna

Having already met Nick’s parents and sister Bella back in Milwaukee, Raven was the first to visit them again. She straight up told each one of Nick’s family members that she’s in love with Nick. Both of his parents really approved and admired her sincerity. Nick told his mom that he more than “just really likes her.” However, his mother sees his hesitation because of everything that has happened in the past. This get-together went really well, and I think put Raven in a really good place.

On the other hand, Vanessa had never met any of Nick’s family members before, so she was introduced to everyone and told them about herself. She and Nick reflected on their first date together which was cute. In the one-on-one conversations, Vanessa told his mom that she was in love with him. She is extremely invested in Nick and you can totally tell. But then she goes on to explain that the proposal is a huge deal to her. She only wants to get engaged once and she doesn’t like the idea of getting engaged with uncertainty. She spoke to both of his parents about the big things, like how everything would work after the show if she were to win.

When Nick talked to his dad, his dad explains that Vanessa seems like she’s very much Nick’s type. He questions him about it because Nick’s previous relationships have not worked out. His dad worries that Nick will struggle maintaining feelings when he’s confronted with problems. When Vanessa talks to Nick’s dad, she had some serious questions about his opinion on love which actually made both of them cry. Super cute.

Vanessa’s Final Date

Shanna

Nick and Vanessa went horseback riding through the Lapland safaris for their final date together. The two then came across a little cabin that was meant to be Santa Claus’ place.There they had a sweet conversation with Santa which was rather comical, and he even gave Vanessa and Nick a present: a wooden heart with this faces carved into it. Kind of funny but also cute.

After the encounter with Santa, the two had a serious talk at Vanessa’s place. Nick all of a sudden started to doubt their potential, and he started mentioning his past relationships that hadn’t worked out. He was also acting like he didn’t feel the same way as she does in terms of love saying things like “if we end up together.” This made Vanessa contemplate about saying yes if he were to propose. I’m not sure if Nick knew how to handle all this being on the other side of things for once. Nick explained that he’s just trying to be fair and cautious. He wants the final to decision to be mutual. Nick is seriously so scared about being turned down AGAIN, and at this point, he just needs to chill. He wasn’t giving Vanessa the answers she wanted, so then she was questioning everything. Nick just doesn’t want to give her false hope because he knows what it’s like. He’s been the runner-up twice, he can definitely empathize with the two girls left. He was being very rational because nothing is guaranteed. While Vanessa is aware of the feelings he might have for Raven and everything that could happen, she starts crying, and they end up just hugging each other until it’s time to say goodbye.

Vanessa just wanted to trust her gut, but it’s pushing her to question things while Nick just wants his decisions to make things work for the rest of his life.

Raven’s Final Date

Madi

After Vanessa and Nick went roller skating during their first one-on-one date, I guess skating was their thing from then on out. For their last date the two of them went ice skating. They basically had a private pond in the middle of nowhere where they goofed around while ice skating.

The two had tons of fun, and to top it off, Nick said he had one more surprise for Raven. So of course he brought her puppies. Not just one puppy to play with, but three, which is so adorable.

They then cleaned up for dinner where they had some deep conversations since this was their last time together. This basically meant Raven had to seal the deal then and there to make sure she was in for the long run. She once again admitted that she loves him and stands confident about their relationship. Nick responded by saying that he’s never felt the way he feels around her. There wasn’t really a dramatic moment or turning point on his last date like with Vanessa.

After the dates, Nick met up with Neil Lane for the fourth time to pick out a ring for the girl he has chosen. He ended up picking a beautiful and extremely expensive ring and got pretty emotional doing it.

The Final Rose Ceremony

Madi

This rose ceremony is a little different from the ones in the past. The girls go individually to see Nick where he either professes his love or politely turns them down. If you have ever seen the show, everyone knows that the first girl out of the limo is going to be the one he sends home. They save the best for last, so Nick gets all the heartbreaking over with. I do have to say that both girls looked the best I had ever seen them when they went to see Nick for the the final rose.

First out of the limo was Raven, and she looked and said she felt very confident. Nick however was freaking out and just by looking at him, anyone could tell he wasn’t himself. He started off by sharing the moments he had with Raven and the things he admired about her as he was holding back tears.Then he said it all at once that he doesn’t know if he’s really in love with her and that his heart belongs somewhere else. He then crumbled to pieces. He thanked her for everything she’s done and apologised many times.

When Nick said he was going to miss Raven, she responded “I know.” Raven then continued to tell him how amazing he is and overall, and she was pretty easy on him after he broke her heart. It was a sad and tragic goodbye that Raven didn’t deserve.

But after the hard goodbye came the fairytale ending. Once Vanessa came in, Nick had a huge smile on his face and

seemed overjoyed. He gave her a huge hug and started talking about how sometimes he used to fight her love, but he’s no longer ready to fight it and that he wants it forever. He had such a sweet message for her and at the end said, “When I look at you, all I see is my future.”

Vanessa began to say that she never thought he would ever notice her out of all the girls in the house and how she never thought it was going to be her he’d chose in the end. That’s when he got down on one knee and proposed. She said yes right away, sobbing as it all happened.

Nick then took the final rose, looked at Vanessa, and said, “Will you accept this rose?” Right away she said, “Yes, with all my heart.”

Nick got his happy ending.

After the Final Rose LIVE Special

Shanna

On this live telecast, the bachelor, the winner, the runner-up, and the next bachelorette all make an appearance and discuss the final turnout of the season.

When happy Nick joined Chris in front of the crowd, they got right into discussing what it felt like to say goodbye to Raven. It tore Nick apart relating to who he’d send home rather than who he’d pick. Raven came in and sat next to him talking about how she kept her optimism throughout the show, and how she was extremely shocked getting turned down in the end. Raven may have appeared to be happy all the time, but she said she still had doubts she just wanted to be fun loving and have a good time. She definitely still struggled with the possibility of not being chosen, she just didn’t show it.

Raven was so happy for Nick and Vanessa. She wished the best for them and said she still cares so much for him. She made a joke saying she was happy he wasn’t rejected again. She’s so cute, I love her. And almost immediately, Chris invited Raven to the spin-off show Bachelor In Paradise and she gladly accepted. Now I’m so excited for the next season of BIP, she is so great and I hope she finds love.

Vanessa was then welcomed out and got loud cheers from the audience. Vanessa explained her struggle on the show saying that she hadn’t seen a full season prior to being on it. That actually explains a lot because she really didn’t seem to know how everything worked. She talked about how it was sometimes hard to see Nick as the bachelor and not just himself. That’s how she didn’t understand what he was going through. About their relationship now, she said they’re very honest with each other, but it has been difficult. Despite this, they still love each other very much. Their love is getting them through the tough times.

Then Nick came out and they could finally make their first public appearance as a couple. Now they just want to do the simple things like going out to eat together. They’re cute together, and I really think Nick is going to treat her well. They’re also such a team and they said they’re going to work hard at their relationship because they mean so much to each other.

As for the marriage stuff, they are definitely still for it, but they’re just taking baby steps.They’re “still in the process of getting to know each other.” There are talks of a wedding in the future, but they made it clear that they’re not planning anything as of now. It makes sense. She lives in another country (Canada), so they still have to work things out.

Then the new bachelorette, Rachel, came out and talked about how happy she was for Nick.

She is so ready for her season, but she’s also nervous that it might not work out. Then, there was a huge surprise that Chris spent the past hour hyping up and it was that The Bachelorette started right then and there. Rachel (and bachelor nation) freaked as they rolled out a big backdrop of the mansion and some fake trees. They brought four contestants out to meet Rachel individually and it was honestly super awkward. It’s already awkward when the guys first meet the bachelorette in front of cameras and crew members, but this was on live television in front of a live audience. It was cringeworthy but also really entertaining. A good surprising ending to a great show. Next season should be fun.

We are both so happy for Nick and Vanessa and wish them the absolute best. (Don’t screw up this time, Nick). Thanks for reading our weekly reviews of The Bachelor and we will be back at you in May for The Bachelorette!